Colleen McConnell, Tallahassee Realtor

Southwood is a planned community covering 1,000 acres that has it all ...

• Convenient location close to shopping, downtown, and universities
• A variety of home styles and prices to fit many budgets
• Recreational facilities for both adults and children
• A recreational director and planned community events
• Parks and nature trails
• Top rated schools
• Golf club and community center
• Town Center with small shops and restaurants
• Professional buildings that house government agencies and other businesses.

It's possible to live, work, play, go to school, shop, and eat out, all within the boundaries of Southwood. For more information, check out http://www.joe.com/web/TownsAndHomes/SouthWood/TownOverview.html

Here are some pictures of various aspects of the lifestyle at Southwood:

Southwood community center and tennis club

Parks and nature trails

Southwood Golf Club

Many stately homes

Large homes with a breathtaking lakeside view

An area of mid-priced homes

A row of townhomes

Southwood Guest Cottages

Original Southwood Plantation house

Town Center with small shops and restaurants

New Conley Elementary School

You listen to what your customers say. The corporate office at Century 21 is focused on customer satisfaction and sets high standards for every Century 21 office and agent. The Seller Service pledge puts in writing its promises to provide professional, courteous, and responsive service and at the completion of each transaction, a quality service survey is sent to every client and agents are held accountable for the results. The local office in Tallahassee, FL is very focused on building customers for life and will do everything possible to make the process of buying and/or selling a house as pleasant and stress-free as possible and help our clients realize their real estate goals.

Poverty sucks. And there are children, women, and men in need of shelter, food, or other life necessities in every city and town in our country. You won't have to look too hard to find them. It will give you the most wonderful feeling if you will take some action to help others who are in desperate need.

The following article was submitted by Jacob Reiter, AmeriCorps VISTA*(Volunteer in Service to America). Jacob is Co-Director of Tallahassee Homeless Speakers Bureau.

It's uncomfortable to think about, but homelessness is only a few steps away for any of us. Many rely on facilities like The Shelter to temporarily house and feed them as they reconstruct their lives. It can be a long process to get a homeless person or family to seek help at The Shelter, but when they do, their lives are transformed. The Shelter is a refuge, providing all who walk through its doors emergency shelter and ongoing residential support and services for as long as they want or need.

Last year The Shelter served a record 2,600 individual guests, providing an incredible 59,215 nights of warm, safe lodging. Shelter services include a nurse station, showers, laundry, wake up calls, access to basic hygiene supplies, and clothing distribution.

With the opening of The Bill Hanson Community Day Center in October of 2004, the Shelter began offering 24-hour services. Through the Day Center, The Shelter partners with area agencies, and offers assistance, a meal or other supportive services to anyone-seven days a week. The Day Center is a wonderful opportunity for volunteers and organizations that would like to initiate a program or provide a service designed to assist our guests.

The Shelter accepts food, supplies, donations, and is always looking for volunteers who want to make a difference in their local community.

The Shelter is located at 480 W. Tennessee St, Tallahassee, FL. Call 850 224-9055 if you want to help or contact Jacob at P.O. Box 4062, Tallahassee, Fl 32315-4062
Phone: (305) 904-7845
Fax: (850) 681-7756
Email: Jreiter@nationalhomeless.org

The damage to this house is the result of a tree that was blown over during hurricane Fay this Aug (2008) in Tallahassee, FL.

Many beautiful trees are part of Tallahassee's landscape and are greatly revered by its residents. Regular inspections of trees on one's homestead are likely to identify trees that are in trouble and prevent disasters such as this.

This past week I met two young men who are recent college graduates and have signed on with Americorps to spend one year doing full-time work in the service of others. They are assigned to The Shelter in Tallahassee, FL and their focus is on educating the public about homelessness. They speak to local organizations and are working on a documentary.

Violence against the homeless is high and the perpetrators are most often youths. Contrary to public opinion, homelessness is not generally the result of alcoholism or drug addiction, but in many cases, some form of mental illness. Approximately 30% of the homeless at The Shelter are women and children. A year ago, The Shelter averaged about 180 people per night. The current average is about 200 and this number fluctuates upwards to 300 depending on the weather.

The Shelter provides 3 meals a day, a place to sleep, and facilities for taking a shower and washing clothes for its "guests", as they are called. The Shelter gets part of its funding from United Way and the rest from local churches, who take turns providing the evening meal. Unlike some shelters who charge a small fee or have a waiting list, The Shelter is free and never turns anyone away.

Some city officials think that The Shelter is an eyesore and doesn't really help the homeless. Luckily, The Shelter owns their building and has many tireless volunteers who keep it going and provide services to the homeless.

The Shelter is located at 480 W. Tennessee St, Tallahassee, FL, 32301. (850) 224-9055